Heat pump cost in South Carolina
Estimated yearly heating and cooling cost for a 2,000 sq ft South Carolina home: $1,214 with a heat pump, $1,048 with gas heat and AC. 15.93¢ electricity makes the heat pump about $166 a year dearer to run in South Carolina.
What it costs to install
National guides price a 2,000 sq ft air-source heat pump at $10,000–$20,000+ installed; we don't have South Carolina-specific figures. The tier we'd quote first here (mixed climate) is 16–17 SEER2 / 8–9 HSPF2, at $8,000–$15,000+.
Source: HomeGuide, “How much does a heat pump cost?” (2026).
Operating cost vs gas
| Heat pump heat, 7.5 / 9.5 HSPF2 | $870 / $687 |
| Heat pump cooling, 14.3 SEER2 | $343 |
| Furnace, 95% / 80% AFUE | $704 / $836 |
| AC at 14.3 SEER2 (Southeast min) | $343 |
| Heat pump vs furnace + AC | $1,214 vs $1,048 |
Running cost penalty: $166 a year. The case for a heat pump here rests on replacing two systems with one.
15.93¢/kWh (EIA, July 2026 YTD); gas $1.63/therm (EIA 2025, $16.91/Mcf at 1,036 Btu/ft³). Energy only; estimates.
FAQ
What does a heat pump cost installed in South Carolina?
National estimate: $10,000–$20,000+ for 2,000 sq ft. Local bids decide it.
What's the break-even power price in South Carolina?
About 12.9¢/kWh for a 7.5 HSPF2 heat pump against a 95% furnace at $1.63/therm; prices would need to fall about 3.0¢ from South Carolina's 15.93¢ average. A 9.5 HSPF2 unit would heat for $687 a year.
Can I still claim 25C for a heat pump?
The 25C credit ended with 2025: it applied to qualifying heat pumps placed in service through December 31, 2025 (30%, max $2,000 a year), and 2025 claims required a Qualified Manufacturer Identification Number. Nothing federal applies to a 2026 install. Source: IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit.
South Carolina climate
NOAA's 1991–2020 record: 2,587 HDD and 1,946 CDD for South Carolina. That means both seasons matter, which suits a heat pump that replaces furnace and AC at once. Jan's implied mean, roughly 45°F (degree-day approximation), is within what most modern heat pumps handle with little backup heat.
Heating and cooling loads are comparable; have a Manual J check both, and consider a variable-speed unit.
Monthly comparison
| Month | HDD | CDD | Heat pump | Furnace + AC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 627 | 9 | $213 | $172 |
| Feb | 473 | 5 | $160 | $130 |
| Mar | 340 | 25 | $119 | $97 |
| Apr | 112 | 42 | $45 | $38 |
| May | 22 | 191 | $41 | $40 |
| Jun | 0 | 374 | $66 | $66 |
| Jul | 0 | 488 | $86 | $86 |
| Aug | 0 | 447 | $79 | $79 |
| Sep | 2 | 273 | $49 | $49 |
| Oct | 112 | 75 | $51 | $44 |
| Nov | 347 | 9 | $118 | $96 |
| Dec | 553 | 6 | $187 | $152 |
Nearby states
| State | Heat pump | Furnace + AC | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $1,207 | $1,221 | 15.6¢ |
| South Carolina | $1,214 | $1,048 | 12.9¢ |
| North Carolina | $1,303 | $1,123 | 12.4¢ |
See also: AC running cost in South Carolina · heat pump vs gas furnace calculator · heat pump cost by state
Sources: EIA electricity and natural gas prices, NOAA nClimDiv, U.S. DOE regional standards. Model: 2,000 sq ft, average insulation; methodology.